Overview
- He said Muslims are not voting for the BJP, which leaves the party without Muslim MPs and therefore without Muslim ministers in the Union Cabinet.
- He described the situation as a sequencing challenge in building political trust with the community.
- He cited past BJP and NDA inclusion of Muslim leaders such as Shahnawaz Hussain and Mukhtar Abbas Naqvi and noted party candidates from the community in local body contests.
- He questioned why Muslim voters back the Congress and asked what benefit they receive from doing so.
- His comments drew political pushback in Kozhikode, with no sign of a retraction or party action as coverage continued.